Odds of getting off waitlist? and other ANA questions
Jan 13, 23, 11:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
Odds of getting off waitlist? and other ANA questions
I'm looking at taking my first trip to Japan in October, and while I'm super excited, I, like so many others, seem to be having an incredibly tough time finding award availability. I'm not necessarily tied to one specific product but given the long flight from New York would really prefer to be in Business or First. I'm currently sitting on ~120k MR, ~100k Capital One Miles, and ~60k TYP so ideally would like to book through Virgin, but I think could do business by transferring MR. I've set up alerts through ExpertFlyer but was wondering if availability is any better directly through the ANA website. If so, what are the chances of getting off of the waitlist?
The other option of course is to fly into / out of different airports. I figured that Tokyo would have the best award availability but maybe that isn't the case? Or maybe another airport in the US? I don't need to leave from New York, but would want the airport to be fairly close to minimize any chance of delays causing me to miss the flight to Japan.
The other option of course is to fly into / out of different airports. I figured that Tokyo would have the best award availability but maybe that isn't the case? Or maybe another airport in the US? I don't need to leave from New York, but would want the airport to be fairly close to minimize any chance of delays causing me to miss the flight to Japan.
Jan 14, 23, 2:46 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,649
I am in similar situation as yours and probably thousands (or more) of other people who sit on hundreds of thousands of credit card reward points accumulated over the last two or three years due to the pandemic no-travel. The premier cabin airfare between U.S. and Asia is through the roof now and that makes your reward points extremely valuable if redeeming on U.S.-Asia route. Everybody knows this now. Your chance of getting off the waitlist and have a confirmed award ticket in premier cabin is about the same as winning the lottery, especially if you are not a ANA elite flyer. In the meantime, you have to transfer your points to ANA BERORE you can get on the waitlist, you risk the chance of locking your points at ANA program, with no way out.
P.S. We all have set up alerts at Expert Flyers too.
P.S. We all have set up alerts at Expert Flyers too.
Jan 14, 23, 11:39 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 27
I was waitlisted for several (6) months to BKK. It cleared from SFO to Japan but the other leg to Bangkok didn't. What's confusing is the fees they are charging for taxes and so forth. When I originally booked it was well under $400 but last time, I checked it was over $900. Honestly it just isn't worth it to me. I'm doing other travel without these points and am keeping an eye on things for any changes. Also having to still wear a mask on ANA flights doesn't make it any more attractive to me! 110K points and over $900? I think I'll pass on this trip for now!
Jan 16, 23, 6:34 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,649
Originally Posted by dirtrat
I was waitlisted for several (6) months to BKK. It cleared from SFO to Japan but the other leg to Bangkok didn't. What's confusing is the fees they are charging for taxes and so forth. When I originally booked it was well under $400 but last time, I checked it was over $900. Honestly it just isn't worth it to me. I'm doing other travel without these points and am keeping an eye on things for any changes. Also having to still wear a mask on ANA flights doesn't make it any more attractive to me! 110K points and over $900? I think I'll pass on this trip for now!
Jan 17, 23, 10:00 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,649
Originally Posted by risenshine85
It’s a needle in hay stack. Let’s hope someone cancels or changes their flight. Also ANA release availability 2-3 weeks in advance as well.
Last edited by Mama; Jan 18, 23 at 4:38 pm
Jan 20, 23, 10:05 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 100K and Marriott Titanium Member
Posts: 190
Originally Posted by nilyaj
you clear if you're the 1st on the waitlist and the ticket holder cancels.It's literally a line that goes in order and if you're 1st in line you're next to be offered the opportunity to book it.
Jan 20, 23, 12:02 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: ANA Diamond, JAL JGC, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 183
Originally Posted by sfflyer415
So the ticket holder can be holding either a cash or award ticket? What if the Business or First cabin have a lot of empty seats?
Cash tickets for J/F cabin are unlikely to affect awards if they’re cancelled. ANA will fly with a lot of empty seats in J and F instead releasing a ton of award space.
Waitlist almost never clears. Never has for me as a Diamond / Million Miler, but there may be some bias here as I hardly ever try to book waitlisted awards.
Jan 21, 23, 8:21 am
#14
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,649
If you are trying to redeem Amex MR points for ANA award ticket, you need to transfer points to ANA BEFORE you can get on waitlist. If your ticket is not confirmed, you can not transfer those points back out.
edit to add: there are plenty of economy award seats available. But Premier cabin award is what frustrates people.
edit to add: there are plenty of economy award seats available. But Premier cabin award is what frustrates people.
Last edited by Mama; Jan 21, 23 at 8:34 am
